Chinese top legislator meets Turkish PM

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with him in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2012. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Top legislator Wu Bangguo said Tuesday that the legislatures of China and Turkey should maintain close links so to add new vigor to ties between the two nations.

"I hope that the two sides will maintain the momentum of close contact," Wu said, adding that the legislatures should do more to improve friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples, promote practical cooperation and reinforce the social basis of bilateral links.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks as he met with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Great Hall of the People.

Wu expressed a warm welcome to Erdogan who had visited China some nine years ago.

Wu noted that exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries have become an important part of the China-Turkey strategic cooperation.

In recent years, the NPC and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey have maintained friendly exchanges between their leaders, special committees and friendship groups, Wu said. He said the legislatures have carried out fruitful exchanges regarding experience on governing the country, legislation and supervision. They have also conducted sound cooperation within regional and international parliamentary organizations.

In 2008, the then head of the Turkish legislature Koksal Toptan visited China. During Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Turkey in February, he met with Speaker Cemil Cicek of the Grand National Assembly in Ankara to advance exchanges between the two legislatures and young politicians.

Erdogan said the Turkish side places great importance on the exchanges and cooperation with the NPC. He expressed the wish that the legislatures of the two countries should further strengthen exchanges and play an active role in advancing bilateral links.

On bilateral links, Wu said both China and Turkey are important Asian countries and emerging economies with great influence and had important roles on regional and international affairs. He said against the backdrop of profound changes in international situation, the China-Turkey relationship bears significance far exceeding the bilateral links.

"The Chinese side places great importance on the tradition of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with the Turkish side," Wu said.

He expressed appreciation of Turkey's long-term stance on the one-China policy and its firm support to China on Taiwan, Xinjiang and other issues concerning China's core interests.

Wu expressed the readiness to work with Turkey to maintain high-level contact and continuously improve political trust.

"The Chinese side is ready to expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in the areas of mutual investment, innovation, tourism and culture," Wu said.

He expressed the wish to join efforts with Turkey to realize common development and promote peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world.

Erdogan said he had reached a number of important consensuses with Chinese leaders during his visit.

He expressed the readiness to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation with China in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and infrastructure so as to increase the depth of bilateral links.

Erdogan also met with President Hu Jintao and Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday.

Erdogan arrived in China Sunday for an official visit. During his stay in Beijing, Erdogan held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday and witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements on peaceful utilization of nuclear power, nuclear energy cooperation, trade, investment and the establishment of cultural centers in both sides.

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